Gorilla Painting

My third painting is complete. As you can see I went with a gorilla/western theme. This time around I took photos throughout the process so that you may enjoy seeing the steps between the blank canvas and the final piece.

Step 1: The idea sketches

I forget the specifics, but a co-worker and I started talking about gorillas and before I knew it I was drawing gorillas all over my sketchbook. I finally got settled on the idea of a cowboy gorilla (going with my animals in people clothes motif). As you can see in this sketch I've already got my colors picked out. I did change the overall look of the gorilla, going for a more simplistic style. When I get my sketches to look the way I want I move on to the canvas.

Step 2: the background

Since I knew I was making the gorilla blue, I wanted to make the background compliment him. I decided to go with a yellow/orange sunset fade.

Then I added a canyon scene, because what is more western than a canyon scene? I used sponges to give it a nice texture.

Step 3: the gorilla

I allowed the background to dry and then added the gorilla. I used a blue color pencil to sketch it out. As you can see I started with the bigger spaces first and then worked my way down to the details. Over the span of two days it took me just a few hours to finish. For the time I took on it I would say I'm happy with the results. 

On to the next painting...

Girl Poses

Practicing my gesture drawings with a little girl character. It's a great way to get the feel for a character and an awesome way to stretch yourself as an artist.

Painting #2: Pig Scout

Painting number 2 is finished (or at least I'm not going to touch it anymore). I feel like I've learned a lot between painting 1 and 2. Needless to say I've got a long way to go but I'm happy with the progression. I would like to give a shout out to the painter who inspires me, Scott Wills. Scott is a background painter for many animated tv shows, including Ren and Stimpy, and Samurai Jack. I feel like calling him good is just too much of an understatement. 

It's on to painting number 3. I think it's going to be a gorilla...a dancing gorilla....a blue dancing gorilla. Yup, that's probably right.

Cat Painting

I've decided to try my hand at painting. This is the first of hopefully many. I don't know a lot about painting in general so this first one was mostly about getting a feel for it. All I can really say is that I'm excited to get started on the next one. I've already decided to keep these paintings to a theme, which will probably be cartoony animals in clothes. Up next: either a gorilla or a pig. I'll take request, but I make no promises.

My Cat: Sprout

I know what your thinking and your right, I haven't posted in a while. Let's just say I've been busy (not that there are many who check this blog out). So here is a picture of my cat Sprout. She has the biggest eyes.
Sometimes I get the feeling that she's trying to hypnotize me. I think she just might be capable. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got some tuna to prepare for my master....er....I mean, cat.

YOLO

They ate my caricature!

I never dreamed I'd see it happen, but I watched as someone ate one of my caricatures. Friends were having a birthday party for their 5 year old and asked if I would draw a caricature of him as Ironman that they would put on his cake. I've heard of these printers that can print out edible prints and thought it would be a lot of fun to do. I've got to say it was pretty cool seeing my artwork on the cake. My favorite part was watching the kids eat the cake. Hearing the birthday boy cheer, "I'm eating my eyes!" and another guest joining in, "I'm eating your foot!"